Panama City LGBTQ City Guide
Jeff Hammerberg
Founder & President @ GayRealEstate.com | LGBTQ+ Representation Nationwide
Located in Florida’s panhandle and situated along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico emerald coastline, Panama City has long been a tourist destination due to its beautiful scenery, wonderful weather, and all that it offers to see and do. Even better, it’s a city with a growing and thriving LGBTQ community, where all can feel welcome and at home.
A Look at Panama City’s History
Panama City was first founded in 1519 by the Spanish, and within a few years of being founded, it became an important launching point for exploring and conquering lands in South America on behalf of Spain. Eventually, the area became part of United States territory, and since that time, has grown steadily, as both an important port city, and a center of tourism. Today, Panama City is a city full of much to see and do, plenty of opportunity, and many friendly, diverse neighborhoods
A Few Fun Facts About Panama City
- Panama City has one of the highest concentrations of bottle-nosed dolphins in the world. Needless to say, dolphin cruises are a very popular activity!
- Panama City is known as the “Wreck Capital of the South” because of all of the shipwrecks that have occurred in the area. Divers from all over the world come to explore the wrecks – sometimes finding treasure.
- Panama City is also known as the Seafood Capital of the South due to its coastal location and the great variety of seafood restaurants in the area.
Read more fun facts about Panama City here.
Panama City’s LGBTQ Community
Panama City is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Panama City is the city’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The LGBTQ Center of Bay County is an LGBTQ community center in Panama City dedicated to its mission of enhancing and sustaining the health and well-being of the area’s LGBTQ community through providing activities, programs, events, and other services that create community and offer essential resources.
What's the Weather Like in Panama City?
Those who live in Panama City can expect plenty of sunshine – 320 days per year, on average. Panama City weather is warm and fairly mild year-round, with temperatures in January dropping to a low of 43oF on average, and temperatures in July topping out at around 90oF. The area receives around 60 inches of rain per year and no snow.
Can’t-Miss Events in Panama City
Pensacola Memorial Day Gay Weekend Beach Party
If you live in Pensacola, it’s well worth it to make the short drive over to Pensacola for the Memorial Day Gay Weekend Beach Party. This is a weekend of LGBTQ fun in the sun – and thousands show up to enjoy the beach and the festivities each year. Definitely be sure to put it on your calendar!
Bay Pride is the area’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event you don’t want to miss. Whether you enjoy parades, parties, family-friendly activities, or all of the above, you’ll be able to enjoy that at this fun, festive celebration.
The Best Neighborhoods in Panama City
Unlike some larger cities that have one specific gay area of town, Panama City’s gay population is a bit more spread out. That’s not a negative thing though – it simply means that there are many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from! There are a wide variety of homes and price ranges available, from beachfront properties to downtown condos, to more suburban neighborhoods, so choosing the perfect home will largely be a matter of personal preference and budget. The median list price of homes currently for sale in Panama City is $340,000, and the median list price per square foot is $270.
Arts and Entertainment
If you love shopping, dining, entertainment, and all of the above, Panama City’s Pier Park has it all. It is located directly across the street from the Gulf and consists of more than 80 specialty stores, 25 restaurants, a 16 screen movie theater, live music venues sports bars, and much more. It’s a great place to spend a day – or a night! – out in Panama City.
Martin Theatre is a popular local theatre with a charming old-time atmosphere. Throughout the year, a wide variety of performances and movies are shown here. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a show – or several- for yourself!
Parks and Recreation
St. Andrew’s is a stunningly beautiful beach that has been ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the United States and is a unique area because of its four different habitats which include lake, deciduous forest, sand dunes, and ocean. It’s the perfect place to spend a beautiful Panama City day!
Shell Island is a well-known island in the gulf filled with shells of all kinds and is a popular day destination for tourists and residents alike. Visitors can enjoy collecting shells, watching dolphins or other marine life, boating, or simply relaxing on the beautiful shoreline.
Panama City Nightlife
Splash Bar is a very lively, popular LGBTQ bar located just across the street from the Gulf of Mexico beaches. It offers a large dance floor, a spacious patio, friendly crowds, and fun-themed nights.
Barracuda Beach Pub isn’t specifically an LGBTQ pub – but it’s very friendly and welcoming to all, and is known for its great seafood, strong drinks, lively crowd, and beautiful beachy location. You’ll definitely want to put it on your list of must-try places on a night out in Panama City!
Contact a Panama City Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Panama City, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Panama City, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Panama City gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!